Porter-Griffin family papers
Collection
Identifier: L535
Scope and Contents
This collection comprises correspondence, papers, accounts, school and organizational papers, pamphlets, periodicals, publications, broadsides, ephemera, and business records from the Porter and Griffin families, as well as their business enterprises, in Corydon, Indiana and the United States, ranging from 1813 to 1983, regarding their lives and businesses, as well as related family and friends, and the history of Harrison County and Indiana.
The collection is organized in eight series which are as follows:
Series 1: William A. Porter papers
This series includes correspondence and legal papers from William A. Porter, ranging from 1813 to 1883. The material is arranged chronologically starting with Porter's personal papers followed by papers from his legal practice, which include pension requests for soldiers from the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican War, and the Civil War. His practice was primarily debt collections, wills and settling estates. His personal papers include school papers from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and an invitation to join the alumni of Miami U, as well as programs from other colleges including Indiana Asbury University and Washington College. There are also papers from organizations to which Porter belonged, like Masonic Lodge Pisgah no. 32 and Harrison County Agricultural Society, during and after his college years, and from his career as head of the Harrison County Seminary. Porter's personal correspondence includes letters from and the Hughes family regarding the purchase of the house in Corydon and a request by the citizens of Corydon for Porter to survey the town. There are legal papers and correspondence, receipts, and account registers for the Harrison County Sawmill, and the Corydon Artisan Well Company. Papers from Porter's time in the Indiana General Assembly and his membership in the Whig Party include speeches, and committee reports, and Governor Noble's inaugural address of 1830, in addition to lists of Indiana legislators.
Series 2: Porter family papers
This series comprises correspondence and school papers of the Porter family daughters from 1845 to 1940. The material is arranged chronologically, in order of birth of the daughters. The Porter family papers include the correspondence of Mrs. Elizabeth Porter, Sarah Elizabeth, Anne Dunlap, Viola, Mary Jane, Aurelia, Attia, and Helen Porter, which include many letters from their father William Porter. The Porter sisters received many letters from cousins and friends serving in the Union Army during the U.S. Civil War. Papers from the a Corydon club of young women formed in 1861, defend Corydon if the Rebel forces attacked, are included in this series. Helen Porter’s folder of farm accounts which contains a hand-drawn map of a farm may be found in the oversize papers (Series 6).
Series 3: Griffin family papers
This series is broken into three subseries containing the papers of Patrick Griffin papers, those of miscellaneous members of the Griffin family, and Daniel Patrick Griffin's papers. Patrick Griffin's papers, ranging from 1857 to 1917, comprise his correspondence and papers, including those from the California Gold Rush, his diary of his return trip around the Horn of South America, and guardianship of the Heth children.
The second subseries contains the correspondence and papers Patrick Griffin's siblings, wife, children, and grandchildren, except for Daniel Patrick Griffin. These materials include Daniel F. Griffin's Civil War papers (1861-1866), family history and genealogical materials, and the correspondence and papers of Margaret Porter Griffin (1885-1931); William Maurice Griffin (1889-1917) and his wife and children (1902-1939); Mary Jane Griffn (1885-1958); Olive Griffin (1891-1958); Annis Griffin (1899-1904); Helen Griffin O'Leary (1900-1949); Sarah Griffin (1894-1905); and a few cousins. There are also records concerning local organizations such as Corydon Presbyterian Church and other religious institutions, political parties, clubs, and schools, as well as materials such as programs, ephemera, invitations, photographs, clippings, broadsides, and papers regarding World War I, the 1918 influenza pandemic, Prohibition, and other events.
The third subseries comprises correspondence, school papers, masonic records, and other materials from Daniel Patrick Griffin ranging from 1897 to 1975, including 1903 map of Purdue, dance club programs and letters concerning the train wreck in 1903 in which thirteen Purdue students were killed.
Series 4: Rupp, Bickel, and Moesser family papers
This correspondence, business, and legal papers from the Rupp, Bickel, and Moesser families, ranging from 1841 to 1925. Much of the material is in German and arranged chronologically.
Series 5: Indiana and Harrison County history materials, 1893-1983, undated
This series includes materials about the Indiana centennial and sesquicentennial celebrations, newsletters of the Indiana Historical Commission, information on Harrison County historical sites, and miscellaneous history of Corydon. There is also correspondence involving the Porter-Griffin home as a state historical site.
Series 6: Oversize papers
Includes four oversize folders: broadsides, maps, and advertisements ranging from circa 1828 to 1930 and undated, including three World War I broadsides and another from the Indiana centennial in 1916 (OBC094, Folder 1); certificates and accounts ranging from 1939 to 1988 and undated, including a phrenology chart (1839), business records, and appointment certificates for Daniel F. Griffin during and after the U.S. Civil War, (OBC094, Folder 2); periodicals and clippings, ranging from 1849 to 1966 and undated, including a 1930 issue of Eugenic News (OBC094, Folder 3); and accounts, maps, and broadsides ranging from 1832 to 1918, including a proclamation from Andrew Jackson in 1832, a hand-drawn farm map from Helen Porter Griffin's farm accounts (circa 1884-1895), and a broadside for the Indiana state centennial (OBD070).
Series 7: Griffin family business papers
This series is organized into two subseries: Griffin and McGrain company records and Miscellaneous business papers. The first subseries comprises correspondence, invoices, accounts, checks, and other business records concerning the company, ranging from 1856 to 1893. Some Applegate, McGrain and Co. records appear at the beginning of these records. The second subseries contains some Applegate, McGrain and Co. records and those from some other associated enterprises and individuals. The volumes (Series 8) contain numerous account books, ledgers, daybooks, and other items from these businesses.
Series 8: Volumes
This series comprises 118 volumes, which mainly comprise account books, daybooks, ledgers, and cashbooks, ranging from 1827 to 1917. They are broken into four subseries: Griffin and McGrain business records; Griffin family volumes; Heth, Applegate and Seig records; and miscellaneous account books and volumes.
The collection is organized in eight series which are as follows:
Series 1: William A. Porter papers
This series includes correspondence and legal papers from William A. Porter, ranging from 1813 to 1883. The material is arranged chronologically starting with Porter's personal papers followed by papers from his legal practice, which include pension requests for soldiers from the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican War, and the Civil War. His practice was primarily debt collections, wills and settling estates. His personal papers include school papers from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and an invitation to join the alumni of Miami U, as well as programs from other colleges including Indiana Asbury University and Washington College. There are also papers from organizations to which Porter belonged, like Masonic Lodge Pisgah no. 32 and Harrison County Agricultural Society, during and after his college years, and from his career as head of the Harrison County Seminary. Porter's personal correspondence includes letters from and the Hughes family regarding the purchase of the house in Corydon and a request by the citizens of Corydon for Porter to survey the town. There are legal papers and correspondence, receipts, and account registers for the Harrison County Sawmill, and the Corydon Artisan Well Company. Papers from Porter's time in the Indiana General Assembly and his membership in the Whig Party include speeches, and committee reports, and Governor Noble's inaugural address of 1830, in addition to lists of Indiana legislators.
Series 2: Porter family papers
This series comprises correspondence and school papers of the Porter family daughters from 1845 to 1940. The material is arranged chronologically, in order of birth of the daughters. The Porter family papers include the correspondence of Mrs. Elizabeth Porter, Sarah Elizabeth, Anne Dunlap, Viola, Mary Jane, Aurelia, Attia, and Helen Porter, which include many letters from their father William Porter. The Porter sisters received many letters from cousins and friends serving in the Union Army during the U.S. Civil War. Papers from the a Corydon club of young women formed in 1861, defend Corydon if the Rebel forces attacked, are included in this series. Helen Porter’s folder of farm accounts which contains a hand-drawn map of a farm may be found in the oversize papers (Series 6).
Series 3: Griffin family papers
This series is broken into three subseries containing the papers of Patrick Griffin papers, those of miscellaneous members of the Griffin family, and Daniel Patrick Griffin's papers. Patrick Griffin's papers, ranging from 1857 to 1917, comprise his correspondence and papers, including those from the California Gold Rush, his diary of his return trip around the Horn of South America, and guardianship of the Heth children.
The second subseries contains the correspondence and papers Patrick Griffin's siblings, wife, children, and grandchildren, except for Daniel Patrick Griffin. These materials include Daniel F. Griffin's Civil War papers (1861-1866), family history and genealogical materials, and the correspondence and papers of Margaret Porter Griffin (1885-1931); William Maurice Griffin (1889-1917) and his wife and children (1902-1939); Mary Jane Griffn (1885-1958); Olive Griffin (1891-1958); Annis Griffin (1899-1904); Helen Griffin O'Leary (1900-1949); Sarah Griffin (1894-1905); and a few cousins. There are also records concerning local organizations such as Corydon Presbyterian Church and other religious institutions, political parties, clubs, and schools, as well as materials such as programs, ephemera, invitations, photographs, clippings, broadsides, and papers regarding World War I, the 1918 influenza pandemic, Prohibition, and other events.
The third subseries comprises correspondence, school papers, masonic records, and other materials from Daniel Patrick Griffin ranging from 1897 to 1975, including 1903 map of Purdue, dance club programs and letters concerning the train wreck in 1903 in which thirteen Purdue students were killed.
Series 4: Rupp, Bickel, and Moesser family papers
This correspondence, business, and legal papers from the Rupp, Bickel, and Moesser families, ranging from 1841 to 1925. Much of the material is in German and arranged chronologically.
Series 5: Indiana and Harrison County history materials, 1893-1983, undated
This series includes materials about the Indiana centennial and sesquicentennial celebrations, newsletters of the Indiana Historical Commission, information on Harrison County historical sites, and miscellaneous history of Corydon. There is also correspondence involving the Porter-Griffin home as a state historical site.
Series 6: Oversize papers
Includes four oversize folders: broadsides, maps, and advertisements ranging from circa 1828 to 1930 and undated, including three World War I broadsides and another from the Indiana centennial in 1916 (OBC094, Folder 1); certificates and accounts ranging from 1939 to 1988 and undated, including a phrenology chart (1839), business records, and appointment certificates for Daniel F. Griffin during and after the U.S. Civil War, (OBC094, Folder 2); periodicals and clippings, ranging from 1849 to 1966 and undated, including a 1930 issue of Eugenic News (OBC094, Folder 3); and accounts, maps, and broadsides ranging from 1832 to 1918, including a proclamation from Andrew Jackson in 1832, a hand-drawn farm map from Helen Porter Griffin's farm accounts (circa 1884-1895), and a broadside for the Indiana state centennial (OBD070).
Series 7: Griffin family business papers
This series is organized into two subseries: Griffin and McGrain company records and Miscellaneous business papers. The first subseries comprises correspondence, invoices, accounts, checks, and other business records concerning the company, ranging from 1856 to 1893. Some Applegate, McGrain and Co. records appear at the beginning of these records. The second subseries contains some Applegate, McGrain and Co. records and those from some other associated enterprises and individuals. The volumes (Series 8) contain numerous account books, ledgers, daybooks, and other items from these businesses.
Series 8: Volumes
This series comprises 118 volumes, which mainly comprise account books, daybooks, ledgers, and cashbooks, ranging from 1827 to 1917. They are broken into four subseries: Griffin and McGrain business records; Griffin family volumes; Heth, Applegate and Seig records; and miscellaneous account books and volumes.
Dates
- 1813-1983
Creator
- Brewster, Aurelia Porter, 1842-1919 (Person)
Language of Materials
Materials in English and German.
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Rare Books and Manuscripts.
Biographical Note
William Anderson Porter was born in January 1800 to William and Mary (Anderson) Porter, immigrants from Scotland and Ireland, respectively, in Hamilton County, Ohio. He graduated from Miami University in Ohio. He moved to Corydon, Indiana in 1827, as superintendent of the Harrison County Seminary. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1829. In 1829, Porter was elected a judge of the probate court (1829-1836). He married Elizabeth McClelland (1803-1872) on August 19, 1831, in Montgomery County, Indiana, and they had seven daughters: Mary Jane (1833-1859), Sarah Elizabeth (1836-1856), Anna Dunlap (1837-1854), Viola (1840-1856), Aurelia (1842-1919), Attia (1847-1917), and Helen (1844-1940). Porter was elected as a representative to the Indiana General Assembly in 1836 and reelected in 1846, serving as speaker of the House in his last term. In 1849, He was then elected as a state senator. Porter purchased the house in Corydon that had been the headquarters of Governor William Hendricks. William A. Porter died on January 23, 1884 in Corydon and was buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery.
Mary Jane Porter attended St, Mary's Seminary in Indianapolis.
Aurelia Porter attended Oxford Female College in Oxford, Ohio and married Amzi Brewster on March 17, 1868.
Attia attended Glendale Female College in Glendale Ohio and married William McKnight.
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Helen Porter (1844-1940) was born on December 1, 1844, to William A. and Elizabeth (McClellan) Porter in Corydon, Indiana. She attended McClean's Female Seminary in Indianapolis. She married Patrick Griffin, Jr. (1831-1917) on October 19, 1871, in Harrison County, Indiana, and they had seven children: Margaret Porter "Maggie" (1872-1934), William Maurice (1873-1951), Mary Jane "Jennie" (1874-1961), Olive (1976-1958), Annis (1879-1904), Helen Elizabeth (1881-1950), and Daniel Patrick (1885-1975). Helen Porter Griffin died of pneumonia on April 24, 1940, in Corydon and was buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery.
Patrick Griffin, Jr. was born on February 24, 1831 to Patrick (1794-1846) and Margaret (McCarthy) Griffin (1802-1846) in Miramichi, New Brunswick, Canada. He had several siblings: Mary (1826-1839), Daniel F. (1833-1865), Margaret (1836-1901), and Michael Thomas "Doc" (1939-1901). He settled in Corydon after he accompanied his brother Maurice to the Gold Rush in California. Beginning in 1866, Griffin co-owned a dry goods and general store, Griffin and McGrain, with his brother-in-law, Thomas McGrain, who left the business in the late 1880s. He served as Harrison County, Indiana treasurer from 1889 to 1893. In 1897, Griffin and his family opened a family general store named Maurice Griffin and Company, named after his eldest son, William Maurice. Patrick Griffin died on January 3, 1917, in Corydon and was buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery.
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Patrick's sister, Margaret Griffin (1836-1901), married Thomas McGrain (1835-1908) on November 20, 1856, and they had nine children: Daniel G., Tillie, Zetta, and Kate S. Thomas McGrain co-owned Applegate, McGrain and Co. until early 1866, when he went into business with his brother-in-law, Patrick Griffin. McGrain left his business partnership with Patrick Griffin in the 1880s, and the McGrains moved to Washington, D.C., where Thomas McGrain worked for the federal government. Margaret McGrain died on May 13, 1901 in Washington, D.C., and was buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery in Corydon, Indiana. Thomas McGrain died on September 11, 1908, in D.C. and was buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery with his wife.
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Margaret Porter Griffin was born on August 20, 1872, to Patrick (1831-1917) and Helen (Porter) Griffin (1844-1940) in Corydon, Indiana. Known as Maggie, she and her sisters, Olive, Mary Jane, and Annis, all worked for the family business as salesclerks and milliners. Margaret Porter Griffin died on October 15, 1934 in Corydon, and was buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery.
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William Maurice Griffin was born on September 6, 1873, to Patrick (1831-1917) and Helen (Porter) Griffin (1844-1940) in Corydon, Indiana. He also worked for the family business. Griffin married Charlotte Adaline Rupp (1882-1961) on July 21, 1909, in Webster, Indiana, and they had three sons: Henry Patrick (1910-1991), William Maurice "Tim", Jr. (1912-2005); and Frederick Porter (1915-2008). Maurice Griffin died of apoplexy on June 19, 1951, in Corydon and was buried in Cedar Grove Cemetery.
Frederick Porter Griffin was born on April 7, 1915, to William Maurice (1873-1951) and Charlotte (Rupp) Griffin in Corydon, Indiana. He graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington. Griffin was a teacher at Corydon and Paoli high schools and worked for Winston Brothers Construction Co. in Charlestown. In 1953, he became proprietor of the family business, Maurice Griffin and Company. He continued to operate the store in the same location on the courthouse square in downtown Corydon until the store closed in 1983. The company's books were officially closed on January 1, 1986, and the building was sold in August that same year. He married Eleanor Ashton (1915-2000) in 1954 and they had a son, Patrick Ashton. Griffin was involved in his community, serving on several boards at the Corydon public library, Corydon State Bank, Corydon Central School Corporation, and the Cedar Hill Cemetery. He was also president of the Harrison Couty Historical Society and researcher of local history and genealogy. Frederick Porter Griffin died on October 29, 2008, and was buried in Cedar Grove Cemetery.
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Helen Elizabeth Griffin born on February 22, 1881 to Patrick (1831-1917) and Helen (Porter) Griffin (1844-1940) in Corydon, Indiana. She married Mark Bernard O'Leary (1872-1948) of Chicago. Helen Elizabeth O'Leary died in 1950 and was buried in Cedar Grove Cemetery.
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Daniel Patrick Griffin was born on September 17, 1885, to Patrick (1831-1917) and Helen (Porter) Griffin (1844-1940) in Corydon, Indiana. He attended Purdue University School of Pharmacy in 1903 and worked as a pharmacist. Griffin returned to Corydon in 1912, becoming president of Maurice Griffin and Company. He also inherited the family home after the death of his mother, Helen Porter Griffin in 1940. Daniel Patrick Griffin died on February 11, 1975, in Corydon and was buried in Cedar Grove Cemetery. The Porter-Griffin home was sold to the state of Indiana after Griffin's death in 1975 for use as a historical site.
Sources:
Items within the collection.
Ancestry.com. "Attia Porter." Indiana, U.S., Marriage Certificates, 1960-2012. Accessed September 5, 2025. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "Attia Porter McKnight." Kentucky, U.S., Death Records, 1852-1965. Accessed September 5, 2025. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "Helen Elizabeth O'Leary." U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007. Accessed August 28, 2025. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "Helen Porter Griffin." Indiana, U.S., Death Certificates, 1899-2017. Accessed September 5, 2025. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "Henry Patrick Griffin." Indiana, U.S., Birth Certificates, 1907-1944. Accessed September 5, 2025. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "Henry P. Griffin." Indiana, U.S., Death Certificates, 1899-2017. Accessed September 5, 2025. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "Henry Patrick Griffin." U.S., Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970. Accessed September 5, 2025. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "Patrick Griffin." 1870 United States Federal Census. Accessed August 28, 2025. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "Patrick Griffin." 1880 United States Federal Census. Accessed August 28, 2025. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "Patrick Griffin." 1900 United States Federal Census. Accessed August 28, 2025. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "Patrick Griffin." 1910 United States Federal Census. Accessed August 28, 2025. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "Patrick Griffin." Indiana, U.S., Marriage Certificates, 1960-2012. Accessed August 28, 2025. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "Thomas McGrain." 1870 United States Federal Census. Accessed August 28, 2025. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "W. A. Porter." 1850 United States Federal Census. Accessed September 5, 2025. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "William A. Porter." 1850 United States Federal Census. Accessed September 5, 2025. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "William A. Porter." 1860 United States Federal Census. Accessed September 5, 2025. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "William A. Porter." 1870 United States Federal Census. Accessed September 5, 2025. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "William A. Porter." 1880 United States Federal Census. Accessed September 5, 2025. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "William A. Porter."Indiana, U.S., Marriage Certificates, 1960-2012. Accessed September 5, 2025. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "William Maurice Griffin." 1920 United States Federal Census. Accessed August 28, 2025. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "William Maurice Griffin." 1930 United States Federal Census. Accessed August 28, 2025. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "William Maurice Griffin." 1940 United States Federal Census. Accessed August 28, 2025. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "William Maurice Griffin." 1950 United States Federal Census. Accessed August 28, 2025. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "Maurice Griffin." Indiana, U.S., Death Certificates, 1899-2017. Accessed August 28, 2025. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "William Maurice Griffin." Indiana, U.S., Marriage Certificates, 1960-2012. Accessed August 28, 2025. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Findagrave.com. "Attia Porter McKnight." Find a Grave Memorial. Accessed August 28, 2025. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/104245142/attia-porter-mcknight.
Findagrave.com. "Margaret Griffin McGrain." Find a Grave Memorial. Accessed August 28, 2025. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/172278325/margaret-mcgrain.
Findagrave.com. "Margaret Porter Griffin." Find a Grave Memorial. Accessed August 28, 2025. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/41202025/margaret-porter-griffin.
Findagrave.com. "Patrick Griffin." Find a Grave Memorial. Accessed August 28, 2025. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/49512908/patrick-griffin.
Findagrave.com. "William Anderson Porter." Find a Grave Memorial. Accessed September 5, 2025. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/41201204/william_anderson-porter.
Mary Jane Porter attended St, Mary's Seminary in Indianapolis.
Aurelia Porter attended Oxford Female College in Oxford, Ohio and married Amzi Brewster on March 17, 1868.
Attia attended Glendale Female College in Glendale Ohio and married William McKnight.
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Helen Porter (1844-1940) was born on December 1, 1844, to William A. and Elizabeth (McClellan) Porter in Corydon, Indiana. She attended McClean's Female Seminary in Indianapolis. She married Patrick Griffin, Jr. (1831-1917) on October 19, 1871, in Harrison County, Indiana, and they had seven children: Margaret Porter "Maggie" (1872-1934), William Maurice (1873-1951), Mary Jane "Jennie" (1874-1961), Olive (1976-1958), Annis (1879-1904), Helen Elizabeth (1881-1950), and Daniel Patrick (1885-1975). Helen Porter Griffin died of pneumonia on April 24, 1940, in Corydon and was buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery.
Patrick Griffin, Jr. was born on February 24, 1831 to Patrick (1794-1846) and Margaret (McCarthy) Griffin (1802-1846) in Miramichi, New Brunswick, Canada. He had several siblings: Mary (1826-1839), Daniel F. (1833-1865), Margaret (1836-1901), and Michael Thomas "Doc" (1939-1901). He settled in Corydon after he accompanied his brother Maurice to the Gold Rush in California. Beginning in 1866, Griffin co-owned a dry goods and general store, Griffin and McGrain, with his brother-in-law, Thomas McGrain, who left the business in the late 1880s. He served as Harrison County, Indiana treasurer from 1889 to 1893. In 1897, Griffin and his family opened a family general store named Maurice Griffin and Company, named after his eldest son, William Maurice. Patrick Griffin died on January 3, 1917, in Corydon and was buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery.
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Patrick's sister, Margaret Griffin (1836-1901), married Thomas McGrain (1835-1908) on November 20, 1856, and they had nine children: Daniel G., Tillie, Zetta, and Kate S. Thomas McGrain co-owned Applegate, McGrain and Co. until early 1866, when he went into business with his brother-in-law, Patrick Griffin. McGrain left his business partnership with Patrick Griffin in the 1880s, and the McGrains moved to Washington, D.C., where Thomas McGrain worked for the federal government. Margaret McGrain died on May 13, 1901 in Washington, D.C., and was buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery in Corydon, Indiana. Thomas McGrain died on September 11, 1908, in D.C. and was buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery with his wife.
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Margaret Porter Griffin was born on August 20, 1872, to Patrick (1831-1917) and Helen (Porter) Griffin (1844-1940) in Corydon, Indiana. Known as Maggie, she and her sisters, Olive, Mary Jane, and Annis, all worked for the family business as salesclerks and milliners. Margaret Porter Griffin died on October 15, 1934 in Corydon, and was buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery.
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William Maurice Griffin was born on September 6, 1873, to Patrick (1831-1917) and Helen (Porter) Griffin (1844-1940) in Corydon, Indiana. He also worked for the family business. Griffin married Charlotte Adaline Rupp (1882-1961) on July 21, 1909, in Webster, Indiana, and they had three sons: Henry Patrick (1910-1991), William Maurice "Tim", Jr. (1912-2005); and Frederick Porter (1915-2008). Maurice Griffin died of apoplexy on June 19, 1951, in Corydon and was buried in Cedar Grove Cemetery.
Frederick Porter Griffin was born on April 7, 1915, to William Maurice (1873-1951) and Charlotte (Rupp) Griffin in Corydon, Indiana. He graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington. Griffin was a teacher at Corydon and Paoli high schools and worked for Winston Brothers Construction Co. in Charlestown. In 1953, he became proprietor of the family business, Maurice Griffin and Company. He continued to operate the store in the same location on the courthouse square in downtown Corydon until the store closed in 1983. The company's books were officially closed on January 1, 1986, and the building was sold in August that same year. He married Eleanor Ashton (1915-2000) in 1954 and they had a son, Patrick Ashton. Griffin was involved in his community, serving on several boards at the Corydon public library, Corydon State Bank, Corydon Central School Corporation, and the Cedar Hill Cemetery. He was also president of the Harrison Couty Historical Society and researcher of local history and genealogy. Frederick Porter Griffin died on October 29, 2008, and was buried in Cedar Grove Cemetery.
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Helen Elizabeth Griffin born on February 22, 1881 to Patrick (1831-1917) and Helen (Porter) Griffin (1844-1940) in Corydon, Indiana. She married Mark Bernard O'Leary (1872-1948) of Chicago. Helen Elizabeth O'Leary died in 1950 and was buried in Cedar Grove Cemetery.
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Daniel Patrick Griffin was born on September 17, 1885, to Patrick (1831-1917) and Helen (Porter) Griffin (1844-1940) in Corydon, Indiana. He attended Purdue University School of Pharmacy in 1903 and worked as a pharmacist. Griffin returned to Corydon in 1912, becoming president of Maurice Griffin and Company. He also inherited the family home after the death of his mother, Helen Porter Griffin in 1940. Daniel Patrick Griffin died on February 11, 1975, in Corydon and was buried in Cedar Grove Cemetery. The Porter-Griffin home was sold to the state of Indiana after Griffin's death in 1975 for use as a historical site.
Sources:
Items within the collection.
Ancestry.com. "Attia Porter." Indiana, U.S., Marriage Certificates, 1960-2012. Accessed September 5, 2025. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "Attia Porter McKnight." Kentucky, U.S., Death Records, 1852-1965. Accessed September 5, 2025. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "Helen Elizabeth O'Leary." U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007. Accessed August 28, 2025. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "Helen Porter Griffin." Indiana, U.S., Death Certificates, 1899-2017. Accessed September 5, 2025. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "Henry Patrick Griffin." Indiana, U.S., Birth Certificates, 1907-1944. Accessed September 5, 2025. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "Henry P. Griffin." Indiana, U.S., Death Certificates, 1899-2017. Accessed September 5, 2025. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "Henry Patrick Griffin." U.S., Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970. Accessed September 5, 2025. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "Patrick Griffin." 1870 United States Federal Census. Accessed August 28, 2025. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "Patrick Griffin." 1880 United States Federal Census. Accessed August 28, 2025. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "Patrick Griffin." 1900 United States Federal Census. Accessed August 28, 2025. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "Patrick Griffin." 1910 United States Federal Census. Accessed August 28, 2025. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "Patrick Griffin." Indiana, U.S., Marriage Certificates, 1960-2012. Accessed August 28, 2025. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "Thomas McGrain." 1870 United States Federal Census. Accessed August 28, 2025. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "W. A. Porter." 1850 United States Federal Census. Accessed September 5, 2025. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "William A. Porter." 1850 United States Federal Census. Accessed September 5, 2025. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "William A. Porter." 1860 United States Federal Census. Accessed September 5, 2025. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "William A. Porter." 1870 United States Federal Census. Accessed September 5, 2025. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "William A. Porter." 1880 United States Federal Census. Accessed September 5, 2025. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "William A. Porter."Indiana, U.S., Marriage Certificates, 1960-2012. Accessed September 5, 2025. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "William Maurice Griffin." 1920 United States Federal Census. Accessed August 28, 2025. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "William Maurice Griffin." 1930 United States Federal Census. Accessed August 28, 2025. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "William Maurice Griffin." 1940 United States Federal Census. Accessed August 28, 2025. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "William Maurice Griffin." 1950 United States Federal Census. Accessed August 28, 2025. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "Maurice Griffin." Indiana, U.S., Death Certificates, 1899-2017. Accessed August 28, 2025. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "William Maurice Griffin." Indiana, U.S., Marriage Certificates, 1960-2012. Accessed August 28, 2025. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Findagrave.com. "Attia Porter McKnight." Find a Grave Memorial. Accessed August 28, 2025. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/104245142/attia-porter-mcknight.
Findagrave.com. "Margaret Griffin McGrain." Find a Grave Memorial. Accessed August 28, 2025. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/172278325/margaret-mcgrain.
Findagrave.com. "Margaret Porter Griffin." Find a Grave Memorial. Accessed August 28, 2025. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/41202025/margaret-porter-griffin.
Findagrave.com. "Patrick Griffin." Find a Grave Memorial. Accessed August 28, 2025. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/49512908/patrick-griffin.
Findagrave.com. "William Anderson Porter." Find a Grave Memorial. Accessed September 5, 2025. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/41201204/william_anderson-porter.
Extent
35.9 Cubic Feet (44 manuscript boxes, 3 large oversize folders, 1 extra-large oversize folder, 118 volumes)
Arrangement
Arranged in the following series:
Series 1: William A. Porter papers, 1813-1883, undated
Series 2: Porter Family papers, 1845-1940, undated
Series 3: Griffin Family papers, 1845-1973, undated
Subseries 3.1: Patrick Griffin papers, 1857-1917
Subseries 3.2: Miscellaneous Griffin family papers, 1854-1973, undated
Subseries 3.3: Daniel Patrick Griffin papers, 1897-1975
Series 4: Rupp, Bickel, and Moesser family papers, 1839-1929
Series 5: Indiana and Harrison County history materials, 1893-1983, undated
Series 6: Oversize papers, circa 1828-1966, undated
Series 7: Griffin family business papers, 1842-1947, undated
Subseries 7.1: Griffin and McGrain company records, 1856-1893, undated
Subseries 7.2: Miscellaneous business papers, 1842-1947, undated
Series 8: Volumes, 1827-1917, undated
Subseries 8.1: Griffin and McGrain business records, 1843-1894
Subseries 8.2: Griffin family volumes, 1881-1917
Subseries 8.3: Heth, Applegate, and Sieg records, 1853-1893
Subseries 8.4: Miscellaneous account books and volumes, 1827-1882, undated
Series 1: William A. Porter papers, 1813-1883, undated
Series 2: Porter Family papers, 1845-1940, undated
Series 3: Griffin Family papers, 1845-1973, undated
Subseries 3.1: Patrick Griffin papers, 1857-1917
Subseries 3.2: Miscellaneous Griffin family papers, 1854-1973, undated
Subseries 3.3: Daniel Patrick Griffin papers, 1897-1975
Series 4: Rupp, Bickel, and Moesser family papers, 1839-1929
Series 5: Indiana and Harrison County history materials, 1893-1983, undated
Series 6: Oversize papers, circa 1828-1966, undated
Series 7: Griffin family business papers, 1842-1947, undated
Subseries 7.1: Griffin and McGrain company records, 1856-1893, undated
Subseries 7.2: Miscellaneous business papers, 1842-1947, undated
Series 8: Volumes, 1827-1917, undated
Subseries 8.1: Griffin and McGrain business records, 1843-1894
Subseries 8.2: Griffin family volumes, 1881-1917
Subseries 8.3: Heth, Applegate, and Sieg records, 1853-1893
Subseries 8.4: Miscellaneous account books and volumes, 1827-1882, undated
Custodial History
This collection was received by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a donation from Frederick P. Griffin.
Accruals
No further additions are expected.
Processing Information
Collection processing completed in 1999 by Marcia Caudell. Collection reprocessed 2006/09 by Ruth Light. EAD finding aid created 2006/09 by Ruth Light. EAD finding aid updated 2015/11/14 by Laura Eliason. EAD finding aid revised 2020/10/20 by Brittany Kropf; 2022/07/29 by Laura Eliason; 2021/09/14 by Lauren Patton; 2025/11/04 by Brittany Kropf.
- Account books
- Artesian wells
- Bickel family
- Business
- Business enterprises -- Indiana
- Business records
- California Gold Rush, 1848-1852
- Centennial celebrations, etc
- Chautauquas
- Church history -- Indiana
- Clergy
- Clergy -- Indiana
- Clippings
- College students
- College students -- Indiana
- Commencement ceremonies
- Correspondence
- Corydon (Ind.)
- Day books
- Democratic Party (Ind.)
- Dry goods stores
- Dwellings
- Education -- Indiana
- Ephemera
- Episcopalians
- Essays
- Family life
- Freemasons -- Indiana
- Funeral rites and ceremonies
- Harrison County (Ind.)
- Harrison County Agricultural Society (Ind.)
- Heth family
- Indiana -- Centennial celebrations, etc.
- Indiana -- Politics and government
- Indiana -- Politics and government -- 19th century
- Indiana -- Societies and clubs
- Indiana Anti-Saloon League
- Indiana Colonization Society
- Indiana Historical Commission
- Influenza Pandemic, 1918-1919
- Judges
- Judges -- Indiana
- Lawyers
- Lawyers -- Indiana
- Lutherans
- Military pensions -- Indiana
- Moesser family
- Naturalization
- Naturalization -- United States
- Pharmacists
- Photographs
- Politicians
- Politicians -- Indiana
- Politics and government
- Presbyterian churches
- Presbyterians
- Programs
- Republican Party (Ind.)
- Rupp family
- Sawmills
- Schools
- Schools -- Indiana
- Societies and clubs
- Soldiers
- Students
- Surveys
- Theological seminaries
- Tickets
- Tornado damage
- Tornadoes
- Tornadoes -- Indiana
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
- United States -- Politics and government
- United States -- Politics and government --19th century
- Washington, George, 1732-1799
- World War, 1914-1918
- World War, 1939-1945
- Young Womens' Christian Association
Creator
- Brewster, Aurelia Porter, 1842-1919 (Person)
- Griffin, Annis, 1879-1904 (Person)
- Griffin, Charlotte Adaline Rupp, 1882-1961 (Person)
- Griffin, Daniel F., 1833-1865 (Person)
- Griffin, Daniel Patrick, 1885-1975 (Person)
- Griffin, Frederick Porter, 1915-2008 (Person)
- Griffin, Helen Porter, 1844-1940 (Person)
- Griffin, Henry Patrick, 1910-1991 (Person)
- Griffin, Margaret Porter, 1872-1934 (Person)
- Griffin, Mary Jane, 1874-1961 (Person)
- Griffin, Olive, 1876-1958 (Person)
- Griffin, Patrick, 1831-1917 (Person)
- Griffin, William Maurice, 1873-1951 (Person)
- McGrain, Thomas 1835-1908 (Person)
- McKnight, Attia Porter, 1847-1917 (Person)
- O'Leary, Helen Elizabeth Griffin, 1881-1950 (Person)
- Porter, William Anderson, 1800-1884 (Person)
- Griffin family (Family)
- Porter family (Family)
- Maurice Griffin and Company (Corydon, Ind.) (Organization)
- Griffin and McGrain (Corydon, Ind.) (Organization)
- Title
- Porter-Griffin family papers
- Status
- Completed
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository
Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
